The Kano State Government has graduated 44 members of the pioneer cohort of the National Health Fellows, NHF, programme and unveiled another 44 fellows for the second batch as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the National Health Fellows programme is a flagship initiative of the administration of President Bola Tinubu aimed at improving leadership, accountability, innovation and service delivery in the health sector through the deployment of skilled young professionals to states and local government areas.
Speaking at the graduation and unveiling ceremony in Kano on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf, said the pioneer fellows completed a one-year internship during which they made significant contributions to the state’s healthcare system.
He described Kano as one of the leading states implementing the fellowship programme, noting that the initiative has strengthened primary healthcare coordination, improved routine health data management, supported maternal, newborn and child health interventions, enhanced supportive supervision and promoted accountability across the health sector.
According to the commissioner, the graduating fellows will now return to their respective communities for their primary assignments, where they are expected to consolidate on the gains recorded during the fellowship.
“We have seen your activities and your performances here. I appreciate them. This is not the end; it is just the beginning. You are going back to your communities to continue serving the people.
“We commend your contribution towards reducing maternal mortality. Our goal is to drastically reduce maternal deaths. You also contributed to improving immunisation, and we want to achieve 100 per cent immunisation coverage,” Mr Yusuf said.
He urged the fellows to encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics and deliver their babies in health facilities while working closely with Ward Development Committees to address resistance to immunisation and other public health interventions.
Addressing the newly inducted fellows, Mr Yusuf challenged them to surpass the achievements of the pioneer cohort.
“You are expected to do the same or even better. You can double your efforts because we do not have time to waste. The Federal Government and the Kano State Government have invested so much in you, and we expect excellent results,” he said.
The commissioner also advised the new fellows to collaborate with local government authorities and Primary Health Care coordinators to improve healthcare delivery across the state.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by the District Head of Shanono, Dan Kadan Kano, commended the initiative, describing it as an important mechanism for improving accountability in the health sector.
“The Emir is very pleased with this innovation of the Federal Government, which provides another layer of accountability to ensure access to quality healthcare and improve health outcomes,” the representative said.
He urged the fellows to work closely with communities, health facilities and local government health teams to improve service delivery, promote prudent use of public resources and strengthen healthcare systems.
The Emir also recommended integrating the fellows into district-level community engagement structures and suggested deploying at least two fellows to each district to enhance oversight and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating participants, the fellows expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for creating the programme and providing young professionals with an opportunity to contribute to healthcare delivery.
The fellows also presented a report titled Building Healthier Kano: Impact of Kano National Health Fellows, highlighting the achievements, lessons and challenges encountered during the one-year fellowship programme.
